Yes, Watson’s approach correlated with team success.
The Texans were 3-3 in the six games that Watson started and 1-9 in the games that he didn’t. Thus, the team should want his production to be optimized, because clearly their success rides upon his.
Was Watson lucky or unusually hot? Perhaps a bit, if you get into the details. Watson had a passing touchdown rate of 9.3 percent, while Wentz led qualified passers at 7.5 percent. Watson averaged one touchdown pass every 6.6 completions, while the league average was 14.8. The Texans owned the third-lowest drop percentage during the first half of the season, while in the second half they were 10th. And Watson demonstrated an almost preternatural connection with Will Fuller V, connecting with him on five long touchdowns in a three-week span.
However, and this is important, Watson’s success level in these types of big plays wasn’t that unusual overall, as he completed 41.4 percent of deep passes (15-plus air yards) while the league average was 41.3 percent. Plus, the Texans ranked 25th in percentage of plays that were designed passes in the first half of the season, and if they increase that volume this season, it could counter or possibly offset any concerns that his efficiency might regress.
Following Saturday’s news that the Yankees could be without righty starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka (hamstring strains in both legs) for weeks, Rothschild was asked what he’s thought of Sheffield’s progress since getting promoted from Double-A.
It’s an adjustment, the pitching coach said before the Yankees faced the Mets at Citi Field. Video doesn’t tell you everything and I didn’t get to see the game from (Friday) night, but I think he’s made improvements and it’s an adjustment. It’s step by step and he’s still fairly young. But he’s very competitive and he’s going to figure it out.
Recently, Triple-A manager Bobby Mitchell said he believed that while Sheffield isn’t far off from being big-league ready, the Tennessee native still needs more work in the minors.
In the lead-up to Super Bowl LI, Belichick noted that Shanahan’s offenses called to mind those of Mike Shanahan, Kyle’s father, whom Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young once hailed as the greatest play caller.